Boss found hanged had ‘a fixation’ (From Stourbridge News)

Boss found hanged had ‘a fixation’

5:35pm Monday 5th February 2007 in Local

A SUCCESSFUL Stourbridge businessman killed himself as he was fixated on his business failing, an inquest heard.

Robert Brown, aged 48, from Stanley Road, Norton, was found hanged at the Stourbridge Windows shop in Parkfield Road last November.

Dudley Coroner's Court heard on January 31 that Mr Brown had suffered from a nervous breakdown seven or eight years ago and he had got over that but his mental health had suffered.

Mr Brown had visited his doctors to receive treatment for his depression, he had been prescribed sleeping tablets rather than anti-depressants due to his fears of becoming addicted to them.

The doctor had also insisted Mr Brown should see the community psychiatric nurse.

Coroner Robin Balmain read out the pathologist report which described a large groove around his neck, traces of therapeutic drugs, alcohol and high levels of carbon monoxide in his blood when he died.

Brother-in-law Mike Billingham confirmed Mr Brown's car had been found near to the place of death with a pipe attached to the car exhaust.

Black Country coroner Robin Balmain said: "This is an extremely sad case. Mr Brown was a successful business man but he did not seem to understand that.

"Mr Brown had everything going for him, a successful business which was doing well, no overdraft and no mortgage on his house yet he seemed to have a fixation that his business was not doing well and was desperate to end it.

"There is no reason as to why this would have been real in his mind as it was not real."

The verdict was recorded as Mr Brown had killed himself.